Emily nodded, missing everyone too. Shed given her notice a few weeks earlier, deciding that working part time as a teacher for a class of first graders was more than enough for the time being. I will.

After bidding Fallon goodbye, Emily and Olivia slipped into a taxi and started out for a day of maternity clothes shopping. Again, her stomach wasnt quite the bursting balloon it would be in a few months, but her expanding shape definitely required some new attire. Twenty minutes later, after what Emily considered one of the scariest rides through the city ever, courtesy of an overly hotheaded driver, they reached Rosie Pope, a high end maternity boutique on Madison Avenue.

Olivia slammed the taxi door closed. Psycho! Olivia flicked her middle finger at the cabbie screeching away into midday traffic. Christ on a cracker. I swear, the city needs to give these dudes some tranquilizers before they go on shift. After securing her thick blonde hair into a messy bun, she sighed and held open the door for Emily. Why the hell didnt you bring your car? You have a brand new, slamming vehicle Gavin bought you, and you barely drive it.

You barely drive yours. Emily scanned the posh boutique, impressed by their selection. Youve been in Manhattan a lot longer than I have. You see how scary it is out there. Its not only the cab drivers; everyone drives like a nut here.

Right. Ive turned somewhat Manhattan-ized cabbing it or taking the subway. But I could reach orgasm by merely sitting in your car. Id have no qualms about driving it. That machine was meant for speed and sex. Its hot on wheels.

Emily signed, her mind jolted back to a glorious freeway in California. It was indeed made for fun.

Olivia pulled a red tunic sweater from a rack and plastered it against Emilys chest. Cocking her head from side to side, she studied it a moment. She wrinkled her nose in distaste and hung it back up. Not your color. Oh, and can I say Im not thrilled about you deciding not to have a baby shower.

Liv, theres no way Im having one. The situation doesnt merit it. Stop bringing it up. Emily swiped three pairs of jeans ranging from size eight to twelve from a neatly folded stack. Staring at the astronomical price tag, she almost put them down. On his way to work this morning, Gavin had left his credit card and a note on the counter, telling her he wanted her to purchase some clothing from this particular boutique. Considering hed spent a cool $30,000 on stunning, intricate, hand-carved, mahogany nursery furniture flown in from Italy, she wasnt sure why she was shocked. Other than clothing and a few odds and ends, we already have everything for the baby. We dont need a shower.

I know you guys dont need one, but its a rite of passage. Following Emily to the dressing room, Olivia plucked a few tops from racks along the way. As your best friend, what fun is my life if I dont get to see you wearing that stupid bow hat?

Emily giggled and grabbed the tops from Olivia. Those hats are hideous. She rolled the curtain open and slipped into the dressing room. Youre evil enough to want to see me in one of those.

No doubt Im evil. Olivia pulled lipstick from her purse, applying the deep red to her puckered lips as she stared into a compact mirror. Come on, Em, Im being serious. Let me set something up for you. If not, Im calling the Maury Povich and Jerry Springer shows to make sure you, Gavin, and Dark Lord of Dickheads get your fifteen minutes of fame on live television.

Emily hooted out a laugh. I cant say I dont appreciate your names for Dillon now. She whipped open the curtain and stepped out of the dressing room wearing a pair of dark maternity jeans and black V-neck top that hung slightly off her shoulders. But I will kill you if you call either of those Emilys voice trailed off, completely sickened when she caught her reflection in the mirror.

Shed often admired the beauty of a womans body carrying a child. The way their flesh expanded, creating a temple for a growing, unborn life, awed her. But as she stared at her reflection, Emily couldnt find any trace of beauty. She brought her hands to her stomach and smoothed them over her widened hips. The fact that she hadnt reached the halfway point of her pregnancy only made her realize she was half the size shed be once she gave birth.

Through the reflection, Emily watched Olivia come up behind her. I look horrible, Emily whispered, totally convinced that was the reason Gavin was withholding sex. Im going to look like the Pillsbury Doughboy by the time I give birth.

Olivia placed her hand on Emilys shoulder. You look beautiful, friend. And if the Pillsbury Doughboy looked as good as you will, hed bake a tray of cookies in celebration.

A small smile touched Emilys mouth. You know that wasnt funny, right?

Olivia shrugged. Eh. I usually hit them better than that. Give me some credit. The Doughboys hard to work with.

Emilys smile faded as she stared at herself. Her mind took her back to a conversation she and her mother had a few months before finding out she was sick. Emily was home on break from school, and they were eating breakfast together. It was as if her mother sensed something bad was looming. She started talking about her relationship with Emilys grandmother, whod passed away a few months before. Emily felt a pang in her heart as she listened to her mom speak of memories with her mother. Some light laughter and many tears later, she looked at Emily, her eyes distant. She told Emily if there ever came a time she wasnt there, to just always know she was. A mothers intuition she may not be around much longer.